By Producer Jack
Having just spent the best part of ten days in New York City between a hotel room in Soho, the surprisingly well stocked grocers across the street and the Radio City Theatre, our sudden drive through the expansive cornfields of Iowa is more eerie than it might ordinarily be.
Beautiful as it is, I look at the lonely houses scattered through the maze of maize and primarily wonder if perhaps I am metro-polised – a word I think I may have just made up for being institutionalized in cities.
The come down after a night as glittering as the VMAs is palpable. Even as a non-performing member of the team, the focus and dedication it requires means that mental readjustments are needed. I can only imagine how these are multiplied by the high of live performance and without the option of getting blind drunk after.
To be honest getting the tone of the material right this year was a little tricky. At times we were treading a comedy tightrope fit for Pink’s circus.
It’s a particularly precarious gig because of the odd atmosphere in the room and Russell’s admirable desire never to compromise. Prevalent concerns produced by these elements are these kind of questions: Which celebrities will handle a gag ok? Will the audience have the concentration to appreciate this joke? Does my bum look big in this skirt? Sorry that was just me.
Deciding what material to actually include is a bit like that moment when you have to decide what shoes to take on holiday. You know one pair will inevitably spend the entire break in the suitcase, it’s just bloody difficult to predict which ones before you go.
The dressing room prior to the show has the air that I assume is generally reserved for that of a pro boxer. By then the preparation is done, it’s just the psychological battle at this point. Russell calmly paces the room deeply inhaling as the team offer words of positivity. Finally there is a knock from the floor manager and it is time. A quick hug from the gang and he is off, wandering out into the abyss of a live nation. Rather him than me.
Backstage, in our little room we call the ‘dog basket’ the team huddle round an unnecessarily small TV with the collective nerves of a parent at the first school play. It’s odd to watch a man exit a room and immediately appear on TV, it’s especially hard to comprehend that on the other side of that grubby blue-tacked wall is the bonkers glam of the VMAs. There he is though, our very own Essex boy up on the stage effortlessly carrying some pretty weighty focus.
Meanwhile, back in the basket our odd co-operative silently lip sync his lines and cheer laughs like he’s scoring goals. Gareth and I look at one another grinning and realize he is comfortable out there – the show is in safe hands. Russell is a man uniquely at home in mind-boggling conditions, the added chaos of Kanye just made him more at home. I glance around at the traveling sitcom he has assembled as a team, there is a communal surge of relief and, might I add some really appropriate shoes.
a lovely thing to read. i’ve felt that behind the scenes – invigorating, sending your champion to stage! bravo bravo bravo to you all. keep fightin’ the good fight. “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, whereas the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – GBS – as in all things, moderation.
Thanks… nice insight.
What really annoyed me I that while little Russell (well technically he is big) was on stage giving a good hearty performance and coming out with some cracking jokes the audience wasn’t laughing as much as they should of. I think that Americans don’t quite get the British humour unless they are a fan of a British comedian and listen to it slot. That man is as funny as an elephant on a tricycle. I love you Russell Brand.
Over an Out – X
Jack, you are a great writer and story teller. You made me feel as if I was there, though I have been in many green rooms, so maybe that helps. I admire Russell nearly as much as you do and I relished hearing of the preparation and dedication that makes his job look effortless. Thank you so much for sharing. You’re a legend Dave (Flight of the Conchords).
Keep writing please, and how ’bout a book eh?
Love ya, and your friend Russell too. xoxoxox
I have to agree with Rachel, it seems Americans don’t get the British humor, I think thats another reson Mr. Bean didn’t do well in the US.You have to love Russel Brand,I love his humor, but then I’m Canadian, I can even point my own country out on the map.
Jack are you a male or female, The lines written does my bum look big and the line What shoes to take on holiday make me think maybe your female or maybe a bit of both.
Oh and no one should ever compromise. :)
Love hearing your beautifull descriptive behind the scenes adventures!
It is wonderful how supportive you are of dear Russell!
You guys seem quite the dream team!
May all your dreams come true!
Russell, Bi Paris , maybe we all are in a way.
Almost all of the large paint and varnish manufacturers in the United States are now making lacquers, which in some cases are being unwisely advertised as suitable for nearly all purposes. In the hands of a skilled finisher they produce satisfactory effects, but when a novice attempts to spread them with a brush over newly varnished surfaces, there is sure to be trouble because the solvents in the lacquer are similar to those contained in some of the paint and varnish removers and the newly applied coating reacts with the old, resulting in a spoiled finish.If a varnished or enameled surface is old, hard, and well preserved, a lacquer finish may adhere satisfactorily soon after it is applied. However, checking is apt to occur later on. Lacquer finishes have certain limitations and cannot be used over other finishes indiscriminately with assurance of success. Lacquer finishes have grown in popularity on wood frames, fireplace designs, and designer window toppers and, when used properly by one who understands them and their limitations, they are attractive and durable and possess many good qualities.Lacquer enamels, which are pigmented lacquers, are successful and popular finishes for automobiles. Lacquers of various kinds are used extensively on metalwork, particularly building-hardware, electric-light fixtures, metal spinning and stamping objects, and often for toys, artwork, and even jewelry. They are also used satisfactorily on high grade furniture. P…
that was great. very tender and funny. nice comraderie.
Hi Karen… tnhkas for your comment and for stopping by. Hope you, your family and Nathan are all well!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to present something again and help others such as you aided me.